The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-01-08
(For the Republican,
Florida Letter,
My Good Friend H0yden,

My Good Friend Hayden.
Along with the rest Of the world of
mankind, you too may think that
writing newspaper letter from
amidst the j0yoGsness Of our annual
Christmas tide. must he very sim
pie and easy task. TO another it
might be-tO me 1t is not. Yet there
IL much connected with this happy
season to quicken thought and slim.
ulate uttera nee; notably 40 fn one
whose mind and heart are open to
the blessed thoughts and influences
which cluster round and fl " from
the one great Christmas fact. Truly
there would he vastly less of 81. v to
the world" hut fer the beautiful
truth that the Lord has come"
We too have had our Christmas.
even here in distant Florida. Aud
why not? Well, TO the average mind
in communities to which yOu and l
have belonged, there is no carhplete-
ness about the OctTSiOn without the
frost and snow elements. In such
matters we pretty much alf, are
children l observe that NY own
little folks miss greatly from the list
of .'Old Santa Claus" the c0ssting-
sled. the skates. the mits and the
nuffiers-and do not myself sym
paihize n bit with themT Tnis all
goes to the credit Of childhood ass0ci-
ations. To wish n Maryland Christ
mas in Florida, would be Irrational,
almost wicked but to think back to
it, is both allowable and pleasant.
dare say that you good people Of
Garrett, had, along with your fat
turkey and chestnuts, also your
sparkling snow and merry sleigh
bells. Much good cheer is in all those
and likewise call to remember the
rOnr." On the other hanu. we had
well. for one thing, the poor" with
out any exercise of memory, and
but let me tell you, in a simple and
truthful manner, about how it WIS
with us.
To begin with The 25tlr was n
perfect day calm, bright. mild. with
sunny sky. and CLASSY river. All up
and down our brOad.bosnmed st.
Johns. the scene was unruffied, and
the passing steamers and ii-bOats,
seemed to come ana go like white
clad messengers of "peace, good. will
TO men !"
For therhildren there was Xmas.
tree. with its blending Of green and
g0ld"-ihe green Of the forest, and
the gold of the grove. Let no one
think we lack suitable wood TOR tree.
Besides the pine. we haye rs ever.
green's. the whole citrus family, the
hay family. oaks, cedar and holly.
Ours was pine and hay iniernixed IN
tins occasion. Our turkey either
stayed in the woods, or went to the
other mans house hut we had our
roast nevertheless, and Il fairly good
company 10 sit down with us, among
them u sprinkIing from Garrett.cuun-
IS. Oar dear friend NJ. NJ. Srhrek
and family. If the Forks, had arriv.
ri on the 1911, and your young
DOWNSTREAM. e. b. Cropp came ashore
on XIiaS eve. In Il sul's' y lent let.
ter, | shall give you more Tarticu.
lar inflammation concerning these
friends, and their impression ~ Flor
ida, Iauling here merely to say th,t
they all were ahIe to do full justice To
the Xmas hInnpr. aud this. nutwith-
staining il was SET IN n firrlesa dining
ronin, only in process of building,
and yet UNFINISHED with doors and
windows. Though not quite so for.
iunate ~ my mex, neighhor. who was
invited i"a strawberry dinner, we
had just from our garden, Tomatoes.
potatO,s. radishes and onions. Peas
"''s '"''"SV WHY INV vutlt 10 IItIt6.
This seems evidence thai VIII ter has
not henn very hard down On vs.. ~
yet. In fact. however. W. have seen
frost repeatedly, and u skim Of ice
80 has been marked by our gague.
Very singularly, and withal very
fortunately, frnsi1 10 not kill here, AZ
with you. Plants 80 tender rs the
'0n,atOrs ami sweet pUtaiOes can now
he found. untouched Ivy frost. out in
the open. A ramble in grove and
wMM+, amid music of merry birds,
and hl0oIning flowers. Was n striking
contrast. to our newly arrived GUESTS.
to former holiday scenes.
A glorious sun. >ei closed Finri,la'-
Christmas Of 1886; md now, with
kindr~t wishes, ami greetings to al
our Marylanh friends, we wait hope
fully on the M'rlcrs of the coming
1887. Fra,ernally,
j. B. SHoUP.
Switzerland, Fla, 70 20. $50.